Gram, Gramp and Aunt Amy came for a visit last weekend. They arrived on Friday afternoon, much to the boys' delight. We spent most of Saturday preparing and eating food - sometimes it seems that's what we do best when we are with family. I did manage to completely smoke up the house Sunday night when we ran the self-cleaning feature on the oven in an attempt to clean up the blueberry cobbler that had overflowed the night before. Lesson learned - always have a baking sheet under that one!
Favorite activities as I remember them were rolling the ball with Aunt Amy, putting out fires over and over again with whichever relative was available to run around the house at the moment, playing under the dining room table after dinner, swinging in the backyard, bedtime stories with Gram and Gramp, lots of swinging at the park,
and mastering the remote-controlled Thomas the Train toy.
I was too busy enjoying the moment to take a whole lot of pictures this time, but the memories will be with us always. Thank you for the gift of your time, Gram, Gramp and Aunt Amy - we love you very much.
Nathan has been conquering a lot of fears lately. Last week, we rode the train downtown to visit the library. He screamed his head off for about 10 minutes until he figured out I was going to be with him the whole time and he was really okay. He did need to sit in my lap the whole way there, but on the way home he told me he liked riding on the train.
Then this week, we went to the swimming pool. We haven't been around pools very much. Last summer, he screamed and cried and told us he didn't want to go in the ocean or any pool whatsoever. So the pool visit was rather dramatic for the first hour. He had a full-on tantrum and was very upset about even getting his toes in the water. Then, after a bit of juice and some crackers, his bravery came out and he was indeed able to get in and enjoy being wet.
Well, today, we rode the train again. We went to a water park/splash pad on The Green where fountains turn on and off intermittently and squirt the children. Guess who quietly sat beside me all the way downtown? And guess who walked right into the water fountain area and loved every minute of the wet fun?
He was so sweet on the ride home, telling me that he liked riding the train with me. Then, right before quiet time, he announced very nicely, "I can go upstairs all by myself for quiet time, Mama. I don't need you to read me a book. I don't need you for anything. I can do it myself. If you need anything, just let me know and I'll come and help you."
Have the tables turned so suddenly? Is the line between childishness and maturity so thin?
I, on the other hand, seem to have lost ground in my mommy planning and maneuvering skills. I forgot to pack a towel to dry the children off after this outing, so I borrowed one from my friend. Then, I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to get Nathan, Mark and myself all on the train, plus fold down the stroller and carry it along with my backpack and lunch bag. Oh well.
I felt like I was moving in slow motion, but I sure did enjoy the ride back to our train stop with both boys on my lap. Mark snuggled on my shoulder until the seat next to us opened up and he could sit by himself. Then it was Nathan's turn to put his arms around my neck and cuddle.
Dear, sweet boys. You teach me something new every day. I just hope you don't suffer too much for my shortcomings, big and little.
We have been getting used to our summer routine. Nathan went to Nanny and PopPop's house for a few days last week, so we had Mark all by himself.
He and I had a good time together taking walks, running errands, playing at the park, being silly, going out to eat with Daddy...lots of fun.
The adjustment period of having them both under the same roof again went pretty well this time. They missed each other, but they also love being the "only child" and lately they have employed some new attention-seeking tactics. Interesting, to say the least. Not too bad, though.
Today is my birthday! I am spending it with the two little boys I love most in the world. First, we celebrated with some delicious "donut muffins" that Melanie brought over last night.
Then we went to the park to swing and dig in the big sandbox. We are all covered in sand and clay, a sure sign that we had fun. We just had a short visit with Aunt Jane and then ate lunch, and now the kids are playing a bit before quiet time and nap.
A sweet day...but wait, I do smell a stinky diaper...so let me go address that before the odor begins to take over the house.
Before and especially after their bath time, the boys have taken to running around and squealing with delight. They are becoming friends and true brothers right before my very eyes. I love how they are so happy together. I love how they are learning to communicate with each other and how Mark can have all of us in stitches with his silly antics. I love how Nathan tells me that he's going to keep an eye on Mark so he doesn't get into any trouble. I love life with these two (plus Greg) right now!
